HPV vaccine to be provided free of charge: Experts recommend the 9-valent vaccine

Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu announced last week that the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine will be provided free of charge by the end of 2025, specifically targeting 13-year-old children.

Evaluating the developments regarding the HPV vaccine, which has been on the agenda for a long time, President of the Association of Cervical Pathologies and Colposcopy Prof. Dr. Faruk Köse said: “Girls, women, and men should be vaccinated to be protected from HPV-related diseases and cancers.

The good news recently shared by the Republic of Türkiye Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu excited us all. The HPV vaccine will be included in the National Vaccination Program, and children under 15 will be vaccinated first.

As is known, there are 15 high-risk HPV types primarily responsible for various cancers in both women and men, most notably cervical cancer and head and neck cancers. With the 9-valent vaccine, 100% protection can be provided against seven of these types, which are responsible for 90% of these cancers, as well as two types responsible for warts,” he said.

"THE DECISION FOR THE 9-VALENT VACCINE IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT"

Regarding which vaccine will be administered, Prof. Dr. Köse stated: “We attach great importance to the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health adopting the same vaccination protocol as developed countries worldwide by including the 9-valent vaccine in the program. Thanks to this decision, it will be possible to protect both girls and boys from HPV-related diseases and cancers. The free and widespread administration of the vaccine will significantly reduce the incidence of many HPV-related diseases, especially cervical cancer, in the coming years.”